KINGSVILLE, Texas – For just the second time in the 2019-20 season, the Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball team is coming off a home loss, but one that didn't affect their hold on third place in the Lone Star Conference and their opportunity to gain a first round bye in the LSC Tournament.
The 17-6 Javelinas, who are 13-4 in conference competition, will get another chance to defend their home court on Saturday, when the Texas A&M International Dustdevils will be in town for a 4 p.m. game at the Steinke Physical Education Center in Kingsville, Texas.
The Hogs are attempting to bounce back from an 83-76 defeat at the hands of the No. 8 St. Edward's Hilltoppers in a game in which SEU scored the most points and shot the highest percentage TAMUK has allowed at the SPEC this season. TAMUK remains in control of its own destiny as it pursues a bye in the first round of the LSC Tournament, awarded to the teams that finish the regular season in one of the top four spots in the standings. The Javs have five games left on the schedule to prove themselves worthy of one of those positions and a one-and-a-half game lead on the three teams tied for fourth: Dallas Baptist, Angelo State and Lubbock Christian, all of whom TAMUK will play before the postseason begins.
First, however, Coach Johnny Estelle must guide his team past the Dustdevils, whom TAMUK defeated in comeback fashion on Dec. 14th. A nine-point second-half deficit was eliminated by the Blue and Gold and they left Laredo with an 80-70 triumph, the program's eighth straight win at the expense of TAMIU.
The stars of the Javelinas' second-half comeback against the Dustdevils were seniors Rashon Thomas (Houston, Texas) and Daniel Severo (Osasco, Brazil) and junior Tre Flowers (Bryan, Texas), all of whom combined for 39 points over the final 20 minutes. All three players had excellent showings against the Hilltoppers, including Flowers, who led all players with 19 points, and Severo, who set a career high with 18 and has averaged 12.0 points per game over this team's last three appearances.
Thomas remains TAMUK's leading scorer with a mark of 13.7 points per game and he has not been kept out of double figures in scoring in consecutive contests all year. The senior from Houston is also just two three-pointers away from breaking into the program's top 10 for made threes in a single season. He would become the first new entry on to that list since the 2007-08 season, when Reggie Love took over ninth with 58 treys.
The first season in the LSC has been a struggle for TAMIU and second-year coach Joel Taylor. The Dustdevils are 3-20 overall, 1-16 in league competition and come to Kingsville looking for their first road win in 11 tries in 2019-20.
Despite his team's struggles, Taylor is not devoid of talent on his roster, which is led by senior forward Caleb Highley, who leads the team in scoring and is in the conference's top 15 in rebounding. He's recorded four double-doubles in his senior season and was a thorn in the Javelinas' side to the tune of 16 points during the season's first meeting. Highley and the rest of the Dustdevils will be going for their team's first win in Kingsville since 2013.
Links to live video and stats for Saturday's clash can be found on Javelinaathletics.com. Make sure to check back after the final buzzer for a postgame recap. Stay current with TAMUK men's basketball throughout the 2019-20 season by following @JavelinaMBB and @JavelinaSports on Twitter and Instagram, liking Javelina Men's Basketball on Facebook and subscribing to the Javelina Athletics YouTube Channel. Watch your Javelinas live today on the Javelina Sports Network sponsored by Mendoza's Pharmacy.
